International news

Written by Professor Stefan Wolff. After all night talks in the Belarusian capital Minsk, the outcomes of the four party talks in the so-called Normandy format (Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany) have neither brought a major breakthrough or a complete disaster. As a deal, it is not a solution, but perhaps a step towards one.

There has been a tirade of criticism from politicians and high profile ex-footballers calling for a reduction in ticket prices and more money to be put into grassroots football. The consideration of the masses and participation for all are hot topic. This piece discusses a number of perspectives of the debate.

Written by Professor Scott Lucas. February 2015 has already seen some major developments in Syria's four-year conflict. At the start of February, rebels launched more than 100 rockets into Damascus and the Assad regime fired mortars on areas of its own capital, hoping to discredit the insurgents. At least six people were killed in the attacks.

Written by Dr Nicole Scicluna. The European Central Bank (ECB) symbolises the strange mix of politics and technocracy that marks EU governance. The bank was pushed to centre stage by the eurozone debt crisis and the unwillingness or inability of Europe's national governments to come up with timely solutions. Its rise as a political actor started while it was led by Jean-Claude Trichet, but it has become much clearer under his successor, Mario Draghi.

Changing climate conditions and increasing occurrences of wildfires may leave globally important carbon stocks defenceless, new research shows.A study led by the University of Birmingham (UK), shows vast carbon-rich layers of peat (dead plant debris) found across the world are under threat from a drop in general water table levels and warmer temperatures, as a result of climate change. With drier peatlands becoming more prevalent and wildfire activity on the increase, the peat's carbon content is at a higher risk of being released into our atmosphere.